Elkhorn South band teachers were placed on administrative leave at the end of June as the Douglas County Sheriffs Office investigated allegations of an inappropriate relationship involving a staff member and a former student. She also taught for six years at Omaha Benson and Ponca Public School, according to her bio on that site, and has also served as president of the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. 1.1K1.1K. Ex-nurse at Lancaster County Jail accused of inappropriate (WOWT) - The former Elkhorn South High School band director on Wednesday bonded out of Douglas County Jail, where she had been held on a felony child abuse charge. OMAHA, Neb. An arrest warrant was issued Monday for 55-year-old Michelle Bluford, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Submit a Public Notice for Omaha World-Herald, Dirk Chatelain: Driven by the story, mine at The World-Herald has come to an end (for now at least), From 'Inside Edition' to 'Good Morning America,' Nebraska cheerleader inundated with national interviews, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Why Keisei Tominaga is walking on Senior Night - and a key factor in his potential return, McKewon: Why Nebraska teams could roar like lions in March, and a tribute to Dirk Chatelain, From being cut to facing Patrick Mahomes daily, former Nebraska DB Dicaprio Bootle earned ring, Live updates: Nebraska high school girls basketball state tournament, Shatel: Big Ten has a little cleaning up to do before inviting more schools to the party, Former Nebraska corrections employee charged with felony after delivering inmate's baby, officials say, Behind a pair of sisters and unbridled small-town support, Bridgeport believes this is the year, Cheetah briefly escapes enclosure at Omaha zoo, Nebraska high school boys basketball state tournament schedule, Time to move? You can cancel at any time. Ryan Placek, Millard North High School. Copyright 2021 WOWT. (KMTV) Michelle Bluford, the Elkhorn South High School band teacher who is accused of felony child abuse, made her first court appearance Wednesday morning. "I love when the student's lightbulb turns on when they engage," said Sekle. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents. Dr. Michelle Bluford, the band director at Elkhorn South High School, was taken into custody late Monday, following a month-long investigation. The alleged victim graduated in 2019, documents state. The two began texting, Kjelstrup said, and Bluford told the girl that she missed her and couldnt wait for her to hurry back to school. Dr. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School. 2005 - Dr. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn High School 2006 - Fred Ritter, Columbus High School 2007 - Sharon Hoffman, Bayard Public Schools 2008 - Byron Braasch, Lewis & Clark Middle School 2009 - Stan Johnson, Shickley Public Schools 2010 - Dave Klein, Kearney Public Schools 2011 - Cheri Helmer-Riensche, Papillion-La Vista South High School Alia Conley covers breaking news, crime and courts. Elkhorn Public Schools is aware of the issuance of an arrest warrant for Michelle Bluford, and we continue to cooperate with the Douglas County Sheriffs office in their investigation. Advertisement Employees Number 417 1 2 3 . According to the release, Michelle Bluford initiated and nurtured an inappropriate relationship with a former student over a period of approximately three years.. Bluford also allegedly had the victim sit on her lap at school and rock them three times a week, calling this their quiet time. Later, Bluford also allegedly took the victim to her car for cuddles in an effort to get the student to fall asleep; and would rub her hands over the students body, including private areas, documents show. Elkhorn South band director facing felony child abuse charge - KOLN A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage. She also taught for six years at Omaha Benson and Ponca Public School, according to her bio on that site, and has also served as president of the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association. Elkhorn South band director Michelle Bluford made her first appearance in court Wednesday. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School's band director, is charged with one count of intentional child abuse and ordered held on $75,000 bail. The alleged victim graduated in 2019, documents state. Teacher accused of child abuse makes first court appearance According to an ESHS band website, Bluford has been a teacher for 33 years 21 of them in the Elkhorn school district. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents.. OMAHA, Neb. I believe this fosters a level of engagement that serves students as both young musicians and life-long patrons of the arts. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The victim said she would pretend to be asleep and the defendant would rub her hands over the victims clothed body including the victims vagina and her breasts.. Former Elkhorn South band director accused of child abuse bonds out of jail Copyright 2021 WOWT. Select a building to view staff. (WOWT) - A former Elkhorn South High School band director was scheduled to appear in court Friday but will not make an appearance until January after the arraignment was. Father, son charged with animal cruelty after hundreds of dead and dying cattle found on Lincoln County property, Mullen basketball tournament honors late coaches, Bridge of hope Advocacy Center raises over $15,000 in their event, NPIce closes early due to mechanical issues. Fremont Sr. Best search engine for True crime stories | Mugshots.com Prosecutors believe she groomed the victim, a student at Elkhorn South, for two to three years. Documents now indicate that Bluford also faces two counts of third-degree sexual assault of a child. Mark Hiebner. The board ended the meeting with a statement, delivered by Board President Amy Parks. Elkhorn South High School Salary - Nebraska | Page 2 Some may find the descriptions in this story disturbing. Teacher accused of child abuse makes first court appearance - KMTV At one point, Kjelstrup said, Bluford made the girl sign up for an app that would allow Bluford to track the girls location. An anti-hate activities policy is unanimously approved by the Westside school board, following reports of racial slurs being hurled at Black basketball players in other local schools. The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation recognized our Elkhorn South High School scholarship winners at our Scholarship Recognition Ceremony on April 28th, 2021. . Once, Kjelstrup said, the girl went to Blufords apartment, where the girl saw numerous photos of herself, including one large photo. The vote was 5-0 with one absent. EPS Administration Building Staff District Staff Building Facilities Personnel Student Services Maintenance Teacher Training Conference Center Staff Kjelstrup added that Bluford would kiss the girls head, face and arms. Dr. Michelle Bluford, and her students here at Elkhorn South High School! Bluford is accused of intentional child abuse with no injury, a Class 3A felony, for a possible inappropriate relationship with a student. The Red Line extension will have three new underground stations . Send an Email. All of us in the Nebraska Wind Symphony truly appreciate your support not only today but throughout the long and colorful history of our group. District Staff | Elkhorn Public Schools Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Former Elkhorn South band teacher facing more abuse charges, Former Omaha Corrections employee arrested for alleged relationship with convicted murderer, Plattsmouth breaks ground on new wastewater treatment facility, 55-year-old Michelle Bluford was originally charged with child abuse. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. She was booked around 7 p.m. on Monday. Officials at Elkhorn South suspended all summer band activities last month after the investigation was reported. Investigators accuse her of using predatory grooming behaviors which eventually led to inappropriate sexual contact with the former student by Bluford. An investigation was conducted by the Douglas County Sheriffs Office, which established Michelle Bluford, the Elkhorn South Band Director, initiated and nurtured an inappropriate relationship with a former student over a period of approximately three years. Superintendent Bary Habrock presented the request for Bluford's contract to be terminated. According to court documents, during the students junior year, Bluford allegedly manipulated the student into believing their family did not care for them. The project has a budget of 405.4m, revised from the original estimate of 304m at the end of 2022 due to higher prices for raw materials and labour. Elkhorn South band director charged with child abuse in case involving OMAHA, Neb. As a guest conductor for our WMU Jazz Orchestra he directed with focus and precision. (WOWT) - The former Elkhorn South High School band director on Wednesday bonded out of Douglas County Jail, where she had been held on a felony child abuse charge. A Douglas County judge has signed an arrest warrant for Michelle Bluford, a music teacher with the Elkhorn Public School District. Copyright 2021 WOWT. Michelle Bluford is alleged to have initiated and nurtured a relationship with a former student over a period of three . Michelle Bluford: Omaha high school band director accused of sex with Douglas County Sheriff's Office (NE) announce the arrest of Elkhorn South High School Band Director Dr. Michelle Bluford, 55, in connection with an inappropriate relationship with a student for three years. Douglas County Court issued a warrant for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, on Friday, according to court documents. Further into the release, DCSO states, the relationship consisted of predatory grooming behaviors which eventually lead to inappropriate sexual contact with the former student by Dr. Bluford. Officials say no more details will be released to the public until the investigation is complete and the Elkhorn Public School admission has been fully cooperative. Dr. Scott Cowan Professor, Jazz studies Western Michigan University. Position switches part of 'magic' for Nebraska coach Matt Rhule, Shatel: Sam Griesel is 'living the dream' at Nebraska - all thanks to the transfer portal, Live updates: Nebraska high school girls basketball state tournament semifinals, Elkhorn South band teachers on administrative leave; one person under investigation, Elkhorn South band director booked into jail on suspicion of child abuse, Former Elkhorn South band director faces more charges, is accused of grooming student, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza, Greece train crash: Public anger grows as death toll rises. (WOWT) - The former Elkhorn South High School band director on Wednesday bonded out of Douglas County Jail, where she had been held on a felony child abuse charge.. She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. Prosecutor Faith Kjelstrup on Wednesday detailed what she said Bluford did to the former student behavior she said occurred between June 2017 and June 2019, when the teen graduated. Michelle Bluford, 55, who has been with Elkhorn Public Schools for more than 20 years, was charged Wednesday with one count of intentional child abuse. The former Elkhorn South High School band director on Wednesday bonded out of Douglas County Jail, where she had been held on a felony child abuse charge. Michelle Bluford, 55, who has been with Elkhorn Public Schools for more than 20 years, was charged Wednesday with one count of intentional child abuse. His affability puts students at ease allowing them to progress and work through insecurities. She then would rock the victim with her face close to her chest as if she were trying to breastfeed, Kjelstrup said. This $500 scholarship honors Dr. Bluford's life-long passion for education by recognizing a student graduating from an Elkhorn Public high school who displays positive participation in school and/or community activities and plans to continue his/her education in the field of education . Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said Douglas County sheriffs deputies still are investigating the matter and looking into Blufords background. She was booked around 7 p.m. on Monday. He brings fresh ways of delivering concepts and meets students where they are. The Douglas County Sheriffs Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents. Kara Perchal, a spokeswoman for the school district, declined to comment on the allegations raised in court Wednesday but later provided a statement about what the district is doing. She would then rock the victims face close to her chest as though they were trying to breastfeed. Omaha, NE - The former Elkhorn South High School band director on Wednesday bonded out of Douglas County Jail, where she had been held on a felony child abuse charge. One board member, Nancy Rogic-Greufe, was absent during the vote. Bluford has been a director of instrumental music at Elkhorn South, Omaha Benson High School and the Ponca Public School, according to an online biography. "It is our hope that we can begin to bring this matter to a close and continue to move forward in the best interest of our students," she said. She has resided in the Omaha area for several decades, Knipe said. Michelle Bluford, 55, who worked for the Elkhorn Public Schools for more than 20 years, is accused of grooming a former female student for two years, forcing her to download an app so her. Bluford is accused of sexually abusing a student who has since graduated. Douglas County Court issued a warrant for. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. At this time, this remains an ongoing personnel matter. His laid back demeanor, however, does not diminish his level of focus and attention to detail with fundamentals. (AP) A west Omaha high school band director has been arrested, accused of inappropriate contact and sexually abuse of a former student over a three-year period. The former Elkhorn South High School band director on Wednesday bonded out of Douglas County Jail, where she had been held on a felony child abuse charge. She has won numerous awards, including OPS Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award. Douglas County Court issued a warrant for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, on Friday, according to court documents. Email Address:. Lisbon Metro tenders 405m Red Line extension (Picture from Douglas County Sheriff's Office), Omaha's News, Weather & Traffic with the Good Morning Show, Scott Voorhees, Lucy Chapman, and Sean Callahan with Husker Sports, Traffic Reports from A1 United Heating & Air, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School band teacher who's accused of felony child abuse, made her first court appearance Wednesday morning. Elkhorn South High Schools band director is accused of grooming a former female student for two years, forcing her to download an app so her movements could be tracked, rocking the girl as if she were breastfeeding her and touching the girl inappropriately. Officials say Bluford was arrested around 7 p.m. Monday on the warrant charging her with felony child abuse. His laid back demeanor, however, does not diminish his level of focus and attention to detail with fundamentals. The board also approved the resignation of another band director from Elkhorn South, Lindsey Bogatz. Deputies have have spoken to the victim and the victims family regarding this matter. RELATED: Elkhorn South teacher accused of felony child abuse makes first court appearance. Details revealed in court Wednesday alleged Dr. Michelle Bluford manipulated the student,. All rights reserved. Elkhorn South band director booked into jail on suspicion of child abuse.